Okolo Odry a starého mlýna až k poutnímu místu

Author: Ivan Pavelek

Minimal elevation gain and a ride almost entirely through a pleasant environment along the Oder River – this is what the Cycling Route Roof of Europe offers, running through the territory of the Oderské vrchy Nature Park.

The route starts behind the footbridge at the cemetery in Odry (49.668207, 17.827388). It follows the Oder River along an asphalt surface suitable also for inline skaters, heading towards the local area of Loučky. At the sawmill, it continues along a local road that still borders the Oder.

Almost at the end of Loučky, there is an opportunity to visit the technical monument Water Mill Wesselsky (49.685699, 17.798223). Its history dates back to the second half of the 16th century. The dilapidated mill was purchased after 1989 by the Král couple, who restored it so well that the mill with its functional water wheel is now part of the Technotrasa project.

From the mill, the cycle path heads towards Jakubčovice nad Odrou, where cyclists can stop at the village green for refreshments at the Pub U zvoničky, which has outdoor seating. It is named after the historic wooden bell tower (49.695286, 17.787626) from the mid-17th century that stands nearby.

In Jakubčovice nad Odrou, it is necessary to cross the main road and continue towards the sports complex. At the point where the road turns towards the former prison, now a paintball arena, another section of the cycle path begins (49.697976, 17.775686). Here, you ride on a maintained gravel surface; the route later heads back to the sawmill crossing the Oder River. After the bridge, the path sharply turns left, and a short section runs along the Oder River, then the path turns right towards the railway tracks. Along the tracks, already in the village of Heřmánky, is another asphalt section also suitable for inline skaters. This leads to the Švamlův mlýn guesthouse (49.717332, 17.751034) on a local road, where you turn left. You are now in Klokočůvek, a local part of Odry.

After about one hundred meters, at the crossroads, turn left again onto a local road. This soon leads past the Natural Monument 'Fold Complex near Klokočůvek' (49.719791, 17.743629), which documents mountain-building processes in the Earth's crust. The last section of the Roof of Europe Cycle Path remains, leading to the parking lot by the bridge over the Oder.

After crossing the bridge to the other side, you arrive at the site called the Rock of the Virgin Mary or Maria Skála (49.718899, 17.733351), which lies within the territory of the market town of Spálov. Pilgrimages are regularly held here, uninterrupted even by the former regime. A fairly strong spring of drinking water flows from the rock, attracting visitors from the broad surroundings. Next to the spring, droplets trickle from the rock, said to be tears of the Virgin Mary with healing powers. The site also features the Maria Skála hotel and the Pod Skálou refreshment spot.

The total length of this cycling route is just under 9 kilometers. The return ride to Odry, following the Oder River’s flow, is mostly gently downhill, making for a pleasant bike ride.